Hip Joint
The hip joint is composed of the articulation of the femoral head with the acetabulum of the femur.
The hip joint is composed of the articulation of the femoral head with the acetabulum of the femur.
Standing or lying supine
If you wish to palpate on the skin, provide a private room for assessment. If you think this is necessary, the patient is asked if he/she is willing to wear shorts, if needed, for direct palpation on the skin or for intervention. While the skin can not be viewed with clothes covering the area, the hip joint can be palpated to assess motion or pain response over clothing. Intervention for the hip may or may not be possible over clothing.
Anterior to the patient.
May I touch the front part of the hip bone and thigh? (or point to the area).
With the patient relaxed and after asking permission to touch, gently place your fingers on the anterior pelvis and anterioproximal thigh. Locate the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and pubic tubercle on the same side and the structure joining them, the inguinal ligament, as previously described. Locate the hip joint an average of 2.5 cm along a line perpendicular to the inguinal ligament at its midpoint and extending distally into the thigh.
VH - Hip joint location